Client/Server computing has become the model for new information architecture.
This technology will take enterprise wide computing into the 21st century.
Computing power has rapidly become distributed and interconnected throughout
many organizations through networks of all types of computers. Networked
computer systems are taking the form of client/server computing. With
client/server computing, end users can handle a broad range of information
processing tasks. This included data entry, inquiry response, updating
databases, and providing decision support. How do the client/server systems at
Helene Curtis illustrate the benefits of client/server computing? The
client/server system allows the sales reps the ability to tap into the database
to retrieve data about product sales and promotions. The reps cans tap into the
systems with their palmpads. The palmpad are hand held computers linking the
reps to the company's database system. With the information retrieved, the reps
can give store managers fact based advice on products, promotions, and fill
orders. The immediate feedback informs the reps where and which products are
selling best and the promotion used to sell. The palmpad is way to maintain good
relations with retailers, who pass the service to the customers. "
Client/Server computing allows many users to share common data resources,
including files and databases as well as computer storage and printers. Sharing
data and information eliminates the need for personal management of data and/or
peripheral devices. Finally, client/server computing allows the integration of
geographically distributed users and computing resources into a cohesive
computer and communication environment (Senn, 1995, p. 404)." The palmpads
let the field sales reps visit, on average, one more store a day. How might this
be a competitive advantage for Helene Curtis? Retailers require and expect
special services from manufacturers. The palmpad allows reps to visit the store
and act as consultants and account managers. The rep's palmpads, enable the reps
to retrieve sales data, track inventory, and link stores. The information will
aid the reps in determining manufacture discounts to retailers. Which enables
the retailers to hold sales and price cut to pull in the price conscious
consumers. Specific information requested by the reps is made available.
"The server processes database requests and the client takes the results
and works with them. Thus, with client/server computing, as much of the
processing as possible is performed on the server before the requested data and
information are transmitted to the client. This means specific information, not
complete files or large sections of databases, are transmitted to the client (Senn,
1995, p. 404)." Many stock analysts feel that Helene Curtis is well
positioned for future growth. As evidence, they cite the company's ongoing
introduction of new, higher-priced brands and its investment in the information
systems needed to provide good retail service. What might these predictions mean
for Helene Curtis's competitors? Helene Curtis competitors need to invest in an
information system. Potential investors are looking not only for a good product,
but also an information system that will aid in providing for retail service.
The information system will allow companies to track of sales data of its
competitors. Also, the system will increase productivity. Companies will be able
to compete with new products or price discounts, or whatever else their
competitors are handing out. The information has to be easily accessible to
employees and provide quick feedback. "All of this means faster access to
data and information, better service for customers, quicker responses to changes
in the business environment, more efficient business power, fewer errors, and in
general, higher levels of productivity (Senn, 1995, p. 404)." Client/Server
technology promises many things to many people: to end users, easier access to
corporate and external data; to managers, dramatically lower costs for
processing; to programmers, reduced maintenance; to corporate planners, and
infrastructure that enables business processes to be reengineered for strategic
benefits. Whether client/server lives up to these promises will depend in large
part on how carefully it is planned for, and how intelligently policies are put
forth to manage it.

Bibliography
Client/Server computing has become the model for new information architecture.
This technology will take enterprise wide computing into the 21st century.
Computing power has rapidly become distributed and interconnected throughout
many organizations through networks of all types of computers. Networked
computer systems are taking the form of client/server computing. With
client/server computing, end users can handle a broad range of information
processing tasks. This included data entry, inquiry response, updating
databases, and providing decision support. How do the client/server systems at
Helene Curtis illustrate the benefits of client/server computing? The
client/server system allows the sales reps the ability to tap into the database
to retrieve data about product sales and promotions. The reps cans tap into the
systems with their palmpads. The palmpad are hand held computers linking the
reps to the company's database system. With the information retrieved, the reps
can give store managers fact based advice on products, promotions, and fill
orders. The immediate feedback informs the reps where and which products are
selling best and the promotion used to sell. The palmpad is way to maintain good
relations with retailers, who pass the service to the customers. "
Client/Server computing allows many users to share common data resources,
including files and databases as well as computer storage and printers. Sharing
data and information eliminates the need for personal management of data and/or
peripheral devices. Finally, client/server computing allows the integration of
geographically distributed users and computing resources into a cohesive
computer and communication environment (Senn, 1995, p. 404)." The palmpads
let the field sales reps visit, on average, one more store a day. How might this
be a competitive advantage for Helene Curtis? Retailers require and expect
special services from manufacturers. The palmpad allows reps to visit the store
and act as consultants and account managers. The rep's palmpads, enable the reps
to retrieve sales data, track inventory, and link stores. The information will
aid the reps in determining manufacture discounts to retailers. Which enables
the retailers to hold sales and price cut to pull in the price conscious
consumers. Specific information requested by the reps is made available.
"The server processes database requests and the client takes the results
and works with them. Thus, with client/server computing, as much of the
processing as possible is performed on the server before the requested data and
information are transmitted to the client. This means specific information, not
complete files or large sections of databases, are transmitted to the client (Senn,
1995, p. 404)." Many stock analysts feel that Helene Curtis is well
positioned for future growth. As evidence, they cite the company's ongoing
introduction of new, higher-priced brands and its investment in the information
systems needed to provide good retail service. What might these predictions mean
for Helene Curtis's competitors? Helene Curtis competitors need to invest in an
information system. Potential investors are looking not only for a good product,
but also an information system that will aid in providing for retail service.
The information system will allow companies to track of sales data of its
competitors. Also, the system will increase productivity. Companies will be able
to compete with new products or price discounts, or whatever else their
competitors are handing out. The information has to be easily accessible to
employees and provide quick feedback. "All of this means faster access to
data and information, better service for customers, quicker responses to changes
in the business environment, more efficient business power, fewer errors, and in
general, higher levels of productivity (Senn, 1995, p. 404)." Client/Server
technology promises many things to many people: to end users, easier access to
corporate and external data; to managers, dramatically lower costs for
processing; to programmers, reduced maintenance; to corporate planners, and
infrastructure that enables business processes to be reengineered for strategic
benefits. Whether client/server lives up to these promises will depend in large
part on how carefully it is planned for, and how intelligently policies are put
forth to manage it.